China: Heavy rainstorm, thousands of birds dead

An "unprecedented" heavy rainstorm recently hit a city in central China's Hunan Province, resulting in major damage to the city, as well as the livestock industry.

Four people were killed and five others were missing as rainstorm hit a city in central China's Hunan Province. The rare downpour also forced the evacuation of more than 5,000 people and left more than 10 injured in Hongjiang District, Huaihua City. More than 30,000 people were affected, according to a district official.

Landslides were reported in 560 places. The rainstorm also toppled 50 houses and damaged 380 others, while power supply and traffic were cut. The heavy rainstorm also left dead more than 10,000 head of livestock and 100,000 poultry.

The direct economic loss from the rainstorm was estimated at 240 million yuan (US$35 mln) at least.
Local officials called the rainstorm "unprecedented" in the district. Over the 16 hours the precipitation totalled 369.7 mm.